Northern Suburbs defeated Raymond Terrace by 80 runs to make the most of washouts in all other Maitland first grade cricket fixtures on Saturday.
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The six points for the win cements Norths in second place on 41 points, four points behind top side City United whose game against Kurri Weston at Robins Oval was washed out.
Norths are now five points clear of third place Thornton who collected two points for a draw with Eastern Suburbs. The game between Tenambit Morpeth and Western Suburbs was also washed out.
Lorn Park was one of the few grounds able to host play and the Norths batsmen made most of their chance posting 7-203 from their 50 overs.
Cal Gabriel continued his outstanding start to the season into the New Year top scoring with 61, matching his average with the bat for the season to date.
Lincoln Mills, who handed the captaincy duties to Mike Wilson, made 35 and Ben Sugden 26 with the damp outfield denying full reward for shots.
Terrace's keeper Joseph Harden took four catches and completed a run out in a superb effort behind the stumps. The Lions bowlers shared the wickets led by braces to Lachlan Page (2-34 off 10) and Jayden Newson (2-29 off eight).
Raymond Terrace never recovered from three three ducks in the top five as Norths' teenage quick Denzel O'Brien and Gabriel piled on the pressure with excellent opening spells.
Opener Luke Thomas defied the onslaught with a fine 42 before he was caught by Sean Gibson off the bowling of Gabriel.
John Warrington played a lone hand from then on finishing unbeaten on 47 as Terrace were dismissed for 123.
Norths spinner Sean Gibson returned the best figure for the day with 3-8 from eight excellent overs.
Gabriel and O'Brien both finished with 2-24 form six and seven overs respectively.
Norths skipper Wilson said it was excellent performance to start the new year, with the only downside a leg injury to keeper Matt Sugden which may keep him out for a couple of weeks.
"We really have a core of 12 players who I think will take us through to the finals from here," Wilson said.
"We are playing as a team and have a great mix of experience with Brad Jenkinson a terrific addition to the side, youngsters like Denzel and players like Cal Gabriel and Sean Gibson who are taking the next step.
"Our goal is a top two finish to give you that bit of insurance in case of washouts in the finals.
"But as a side I think we would really like to push for the minor premiership.
"I think at this stage the top three sides us, City and Thornton all can lay a claim for top two and the minor premiership.
"We don't play Thornton again and we've got City here at Lorn in round 13. We can't afford to drop our guard at all as every team is capable of beating each other, but that game against City could prove decisive."